“Can you even remember life before her?” my mom asked expectantly, referring to my 2 year-old daughter. “YES!” I practically shouted back, looking at my poor mother as though she had lost her damn mind. I had my daughter when I was 37 years old, and she’s only 2. I…

I like working with my hands in my free time, to balance the research, writing, and negotiation that occupies my professional life. Sewing, cooking, and craft projects are my favorite. In my latest brainstorm, I decided to design stickers with the theme, “Secret Thoughts of an Introvert.” I had come…

I couldn’t tie my shoes, or even see them anymore, my vision obscured by a mess of soft, dark brown curls. My toddler had a death-grip on my neck, allowing me only micro movements as she pleaded, “NOOOOO! No, mama. I come, too.” She turned to stare up at me…

“I love cooking with a wok. I wish we could have a wok, but we can’t. We have committed to a minimalist lifestyle,” my friend shrugged matter-of-factly. At first, I thought she was joking. Seeing that she was completely earnest, I resisted the impulse to laugh or roll my eyes…

“How was your weekend?” my coworker too-loudly shouted across the room. He had not adjusted his voice for the fact that he was still wearing headphones. “Oh, fine. How was yours?” I said blandly, careful not to spark any follow-up questions. “Too much work!” he shouted back. I fake laughed…

Mom, I’m sorry. I’m sorry to ALL moms out there. I’m sorry that before I became a mom, I judged every single thing you did, from the age at which you decided to have children, to how you disciplined your children, to whether you worked “outside the home,” to where…